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Cutting Exhaust/Intake Holes into MDF/Plywood/Cabinets

bounty29

Custom User Title
Veteran
How does everyone do it? I need to have some 4.5" holes for my 120mm PC fans, and in order to do that I need to buy a hole boring drill bit, a drill bit that the hole boring thing attaches to, and I need to rent a drill. Renting it cost $10/4 hours, $15/24 hours. The hole cutting bit is like $35, and the attachment bit is like $15. What the hell?! I can't return them either because it's obvious after they've been used. Is there a cheaper way, or do I just have to bite the bullet on this one?
 

mrwags

********* Female Seeds
ICMag Donor
Veteran
Hit your local pawn shops and you can buy for the price of renting. Trust me you are bit by the growing bug now so don't think you'll only use it this one time :)




Good Luck
Mr.Wags
 
G

Guest

I think mr.wags hit the nail on the head with that one!!Good luck man.
 

stikky budz

Active member
Cheap way - Mark the 4.5" circle where you want it and then just drill a shit load of small holes (as close as possible) all around the edge of your circle. Pop it out and smooth with a file ~ or not.
 
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NiteTiger

Tiger, Tiger, burning bright...
Veteran
Do like I did -

Head to the local pawn shop and pick up a RotoZip rotary saw - best damn tool I ever bought for growing. Picked mine up, with case and extra bits, for $20 at the pawn shop.

If you can't find a RotoZip, you can pick up a new Dremel for like $35 from Walmart, and they have a rotary cutting bit you can buy seperately. It might come with the basic package too, I'm just not sure, so make sure you check.
 

bounty29

Custom User Title
Veteran
stikky budz said:
Cheap way - Mark the 4.5" circle where you want it and then just drill a shit load of small holes (as close as possible) all around the edge of your circle. Pop it out and smooth with a file ~ or not.

I was thinking about doing that. I forgot about the Dremel, I love that thing when they first came out I polished all the change I could find with my dad's Dremel, kept me busy for hours :fsu:

I'm in the area of Burlington, VT and I don't know of any pawn shops around here. I'll see if I can find anything, I know that I'll be needing it more than just this once, I'll definitely be building another cabinet in about a year when I move to my next apartment. Thanks for the input guys!
 
S

stretchpuppy

If you're going to be working cab's now, it's time to invest in a good drill, IMO. New or the pawn shop was a good idea.

Then just pick up you circle saw drill attachment.

I cut a 8x8 square hole out of my C13 for my original Darkroom Louver install by hand. I'll never do that manually again. 3/4" compressed particle board (or whatever it is) with melamite on it was not easy to do. Because I didn't want to wait a week to pick up the proper tool.

The stuff is thick and heavy, and if you're using a Mills Pride cabinet I think it would burn out a dremel. Heck, it put my jigsaw through a tough workout.
 

2buds

Active member
I'd invest in a jigsaw. These things will cut anything anytime. You can cut round holes, rip wood, change blades and cut metal. (With some proper technique you can roll teh saw blade into a piece of plywood and cut those circles) Endless possibilities. Just my opinion. A drill will also be a great investment as you begin to screw things together the forearms will tire quickly, the drill will sink the screws in a jiffy. If you can swing it, teh old black&decker combo kit is better than nothing but remember you get what you pay for in the tool world. I have milwaukee saws and drills that are still working like new after 12 years and most have slid off at least one roof top or rolled down a flight of stairs. Good luck!

PorterCable also makes top notch tools.
 
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Maj.PotHead

End Cannibis Prohibition Now Realize Legalize !!
Mentor
Veteran
i traced my holes used a 1/2 in drill bit drilled few holes inside of pattern then used my jig saw to cut hole out to proper size.
 

wickedpete66

Active member
I bought a cheap hole saw kit on ebay for about 15 bucks shipped, the hole for my 6" vortex I did like everyone else. traced ,drilled ,then used a jigsaw
 

Ncogneato

Member
I use a Roto-Zip myself. In my opionion, cutting holes is all that thing is good for. Make sure you buy plenty of replacement bits; they tend to wear out and break easily. And make sure you hold on tight; that thing will take you for a ride.
 

pontiac

Pass That S**t!
Veteran
Bro, pepboys sells a dremel rip-off (with bits), 3/8" VSR drill, and jigsaw (with blades) for $15-20 each.
 

fuzygrowth

Active member
dude..... get the best drill you can get. as far as the hole saw, go to home depot, get the best hole saw you can buy, use it, and return it. home depot takes just about anything back in any shape. i remember once i had an extra sheet of drywall i was returning, on the way there it started to pour and the sheet was in the back of the truck, it was soaked and useless. on the way to the return desk the sheet just snapped in half right in front of the return guy, he took it back no questions. anyway, point is, don't be afraid of returning stuff to home depot, all you say is it didn't work out, period.
 

bounty29

Custom User Title
Veteran
That'd be great, but they gave me a hard time returning a drill bit that I screwed on to my drill, and didn't use at all. I got the hole saw, but the center piece wasn't long enough. It took me about 15 minutes of convincing for them to let me return it. Pain in the ass... Next time I go I'm definitely getting a copy of their return policy so I know.
 

fuzygrowth

Active member
thats horrible, if i were you, i'd call home depot customer care, ask to use their phone on the spot. they will change their attitude really quick. home depot is a national store and they have policies they need to stick by, if someone is a dick or a shitty manager home depot head quarters will straighten them out. just remember you are a paying customer, lots of growers seem to foget that .
 

marx2k

Active member
Veteran
Whats the best RotoZip to get that is adequate for our hobby of cab building and NOT overkill?

Check here for selection:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=br_fq__...hen&field-browse=720522&field-availability=-1

Also, whats the difference between a circular saw, a hole saw, a spiral saw and a power drill with a circular hole bit attached?

Im considering just getting a 6" hole making drill bit for my drill. That would be perfect for 6" vortex fax ducting and making 6" netpot holes in various materials. Would this be suggested? And if someone still suggests a RotoZip, can you tell me WHY you would suggest it?
 
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